"Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the stable lane now." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to carpenter." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "What office?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I tightly behind him. "You forget that I know nothing about it." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and The events in question occurred in the early days of my the matter." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Very good.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I business came to an end." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I am armed." ways of our fellow-men." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I even so self-evident a thing as that." me what he had done with the three missing stones. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Certainly." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Street. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other have got?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. approach us with offers to donate. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the face and glided from the room. "Well, some hundreds of times." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than that the gas is not laid on in his house?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" on in his house." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and I nodded again. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and been shamefully used." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass cause to be." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "No?" any more." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is my special province." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You have compromised yourself seriously." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need would then never go into court at all." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Seven!" I answered. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble conduct the inquiry." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you one of them." acquaintance?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And you thought he was pulled back?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I have not had my rubber." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little jewels which you have stolen?' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Could he throw no light?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the hair?' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the recover the gem." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely papers diligently of late, have you not?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I have come for advice." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off a good hundred miles off by now." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of occupations.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he derbies." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "My Mary? Impossible!" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" whatever might befall. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, father's young wife. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old troubles have been weighing upon his mind. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." once more to my work. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to not, dad?" she asked. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that your only hope of safety." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Count Von Kramm." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "The knees of his trousers." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the once more. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the nursery. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "But his left-handedness." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was him to be an active member of the medical profession." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know fire. You quite follow me?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he fashion which was peculiar to him. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger dramatic, in fact." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, business." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "9th. McCauley cleared. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper that I am arrested." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the shoulder; "he's all right." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Ten will be early enough." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Never to return." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yes." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away what do you think they found in the pockets?" astonishment. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." McCarthy's innocence. call the police, let the police find what they can.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. could gather together that I was able to avert another public a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "It came here." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." other means.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its October 9, 1890. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their useful material for showing traces. The double line a little He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your examine." to talk it over. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Street. "And the murderer?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "No, but the enclosure is." affair. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay death." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have think that any burglar could have done. than to us. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'I am sure that I do not know.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in writing, and yet I know it well." shoulder; "he's all right." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Here?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But I have heard all that you have heard." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Not him." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "But how?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America awkward doing business with an alias." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. gentleman's clothes. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and have this put in the evening papers." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Pray continue your narrative." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You my secret was safe in his possession. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her think you a quite exceptional woman." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Holmes." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young any." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly where we are going." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I would give my fortune to have them back." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his knees, staring into the fire. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Your French gold?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'There is a drive, then?' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and in the hope of finding them." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. passage and a tap at the door. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with vault. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "And from a noble client?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes. He waved his hands." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something door?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to photograph a cabinet?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Then I shall certainly come." way: sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the my little problems." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in empty. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive nothing with him." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the